Self-sterilizing iv pole system

ABSTRACT

A system and method for sterilizing a wheelchair, stretcher or the like, that comprises an intravenous (IV) pole attaching to the wheelchair or stretcher having an electrical connector at the pole top, and a reflective drape having an interior lined with UV LED lights that electrically connects to the connector on top of the IV pole when draped over the wheelchair or stretcher. The UV LED lights sterilize the wheelchair or other equipment that is under the drape after a period of exposure to UV radiation without using disinfectant chemical sprays or wiping with disinfectant cloths and without staff attention.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of the nonprovisional utilityapplication, Ser. No. 16/562,768, filed in the United States Patentoffice on Sep. 6, 2019 claiming priority to the provisional patentapplication, Ser. No. 62/728,476 filed in the United States PatentOffice on Sep. 7, 2018, and is expressly incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a self-sterilizing IV polesystem. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a systemcomprising a self-sterilizing IV pole with a drape for attaching towheelchair or gurney that sterilizes the IV pole as well as thewheelchair or gurney.

BACKGROUND

In many health care facilities, from the largest hospitals to smallassisted living and residential institutions, patients spend many hoursin wheelchairs. Often IV (intra-venous) poles are attached to thewheelchairs so that drugs, vital fluids and nutritional liquids can beprovided intravenously. These chairs and IV poles must be routinelycleaned and sanitized to prevent spreading infections among patients whomay be already immune compromised.

Other types of equipment used in these settings such as beds, gurneysand the like generally are equipped to hold IV poles. All this equipmentrequires cleaning, sanitizing and sterilization to minimize the transferof hospital-acquired or nosocomial infections that happen in health careinstitutions.

Cleaning, sanitizing and sterilizing equipment is time-consuming andtakes time away from providing direct patient care. Failure to properlyexecute the cleaning, sanitizing and sterilizing protocol can result ina catastrophic spread of infection within the institution.

The protocol generally involves spraying strong disinfectant solutions,possibly in combination with steam and high pressure to penetrate allthe crevices, openings and generally inaccessible areas. The chair iswiped down and allowed to dry. The strong solutions cause the vinyl orleather covered parts to deteriorate and crack, the cracks providingopportunities for bacteria to invade into seat and back cushions. Theprocess is time-consuming and takes caregivers away from providingdirect to patient care.

While these methods may be suitable for the particular purpose employed,or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes ofthe present disclosure as disclosed hereafter.

In the present disclosure, where a document, act or item of knowledge isreferred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not anadmission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combinationthereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to thepublic, part of common general knowledge or otherwise constitutes priorart under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to berelevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which the presentdisclosure is concerned.

While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussedto facilitate the present disclosure, no technical aspects aredisclaimed and it is contemplated that the claims may encompass one ormore of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is toprovide sterilized equipment for use in a hospital, assisted living orresidential institution. Accordingly, an aspect of an example embodimentin the present disclosure provides an efficient and easy-to-use systemand method for sterilizing equipment such as wheelchairs and stretchersfor use in a hospital, assisted living, or residential institution.

A further aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure isto provide sterilized equipment for use in a hospital, assisted livingor residential institution that minimizes staff time spent in thesterilization process. Accordingly, an aspect of an example embodimentin the present disclosure provides an efficient and easy to use systemand method for sterilizing equipment that is quickly setup andsterilizes equipment without direct staff involvement.

Another aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is toprovide a sterilization system that is adaptable to wheelchair orstretcher without excessive wiping and scrubbing. Accordingly, thepresent disclosure provides a sterilization system that includes anintravenous (IV) pole connecting to a reflective drape with interior UV(ultra-violet) LED (Light-Emitting Diode) lights at a wavelength thatkills microorganisms that covers the equipment providing sufficient UVradiation for killing microorganisms.

Accordingly, the present disclosure describes a system and method forsterilizing a wheelchair or stretcher that comprises an intravenous (IV)pole attaching to the wheelchair or stretcher having an electricalconnector at the pole top, and a reflective drape having an interiorlined with UV LED lights that electrically connect to the connector ontop of the IV pole when draped over the wheelchair or stretcher. The UVLED lights sterilize the wheelchair or stretcher that is under the drapeafter a period of exposure to UV radiation without using disinfectantchemical sprays or wiping with disinfectant cloths and without staffattention.

The present disclosure addresses at least one of the foregoingdisadvantages. However, it is contemplated that the present disclosuremay prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in anumber of technical areas. Therefore, the claims should not necessarilybe construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems ordeficiencies discussed hereinabove. To the accomplishment of the above,this disclosure may be embodied in the form illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, thatthe drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as beingpart of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals.The drawings are briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an inside of an example embodimentof a self-sterilizing intravenous (IV) pole system.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a disk connector in the exampleembodiment of a self-sterilizing intravenous (IV) pole system.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a top disk connector in the exampleembodiment of a self-sterilizing intravenous (IV) pole system.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the inside of an exampleembodiment of a drape of a self-sterilizing IV pole system showing afirst pattern of light distribution of a plurality of LED(light-emitting diode) strips.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the inside of an exampleembodiment of a drape of a self-sterilizing IV pole system showing asecond pattern of light distribution of the LED strips.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the inside of an exampleembodiment of a drape of a self-sterilizing IV pole system showing athird pattern of light distribution of the plurality of LED strips.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the example embodiment of theself-sterilizing IV pole system engaging a wheelchair.

The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which show various exampleembodiments. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to the exampleembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments areprovided so that the present disclosure is thorough, complete and fullyconveys the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1. illustrates an example embodiment of a self-sterilizingintravenous (IV) pole system 10. The system comprises an intravenous(IV) pole 20 and a sterilization drape 30. The drape 30 generally is aconical shape made from flexible material so that when held at an apex28, the drape loosely enshrouds any irregularly shaped object such as awheelchair or stretcher underneath.

In the following disclosure, a wheelchair is provided as an example ofpatient equipment that can be sterilized in this system, but it isunderstood that the system can be used to provide sterilization forstretchers, gurneys, hospital beds and the like and is not limited towheelchairs. Any hospital or institutional equipment configured forattaching an IV pole and configured to be covered by a drape isenvisioned within the inventive concept.

The drape 30 has an interior surface 30S that is reflective, whichcannot be shown in the drawings.

The drape has a plurality of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) on LED strips36 on the interior surface 30S and a plurality of LED wiring 34 on theinterior surface 30S, the LED wiring 34 in electrical communication withthe LED strips 36 and a disk connector 32. The disk connector 32 is atthe apex 28 of the drape 30 and is in electrical communication with theLED strips 36 through the LED wiring 34.

In one example embodiment, a thin transparent layer of plastic may linethe interior surface 30S to protect the LED wiring 34 and the LED strips36.

FIGS. 2-4 demonstrate various configurations of LED strips 36 deployedon the interior surface 30S of the drape 30. The LED strips 36 arearrayed along a plurality of lines such that when the LED lights arelit, there are no dark areas inside the drape. In the illustrations,there are several patterns of LED lights shown, however these are notlimitations and other patterns of LED strips 36 are possible within theinventive concept.

FIG. 2 shows a spiral pattern of LED strips 36, FIG. 3 a verticalcascade and FIG. 4 an intersecting grid pattern of deployment. In orderto have a practical period of sterilization with minimal number of LEDlights, a period of 30 minutes of sterilization was chosen to determinethe number of LEDs. Calculations show that the maximum distance from afirst LED light to a second LED light is 10 cm. A distance between afirst UV-C LED light and a second UV-C LED light is equal to or lessthan 10 cm is preferable. A 10 cm by 10 cm grid pattern of LED strips 36having at least 100 LEDs on the interior surface can achieve 99.9%effective sterilization. The interior surface 30S of the drape 30 shouldno greater distance from a surface to be sterilized than approximatelythan 30 cm.

The LED lights are ultraviolet (UV-C LED) lamps that emit UV light atselectable wavelengths between 255 and 280 nm encompassing 270 nm, whichis the optimal wavelength for killing microorganisms. The intensity ofthe UV-C LED must be minimally 12 mW, preferably between 20 mW and 25mW. Experiments were performed with the LED light source at 1 foot orapproximately 30 cm from inoculated dishes that had been previouslyincubated at standard conditions. A distance equal to or less than 30 cmis preferable. Generally, even at a low power such as 12 mW UV-C lightswere effective after 30 minutes exposure. Doubling the intensityprovides a high probability of a kill at 99.9% level.

The effectiveness of 12 mW against common pathogens is in Table 1.

TABLE 1 TIME E. Coli S. Aureus P. Aeruginosa 10 min 0 several 14 30 min0 0 2 50 min 0 0 9

The UV radiation generated by these LEDs is able to eliminate over 99.9%of microorganisms. In one embodiment, a sufficiently large number ofLEDs such as a non-limiting example of one hundred (100), which providessterilization of a wheelchair with a sterilization time of a minimum of30 minutes. As a non-limiting example, a 10 cm by 10 cm grid array ofthe 100 LEDs inside the drape 30 is effective in around 30 minutes,assuming wheelchair has total surface area of 10,00 cm². To decrease thesterilization time, more LEDs can be added or alternatively, largersurface areas can be sterilized within 30 minutes by increasing the sizeof the drape and the number of LEDs. The UV conical drape 30 isespecially unique because it utilizes a connection point at the tip ofthe IV pole 20.

Returning to FIG. 1, the IV pole 20 is telescopic in one exampleembodiment. Further, the IV pole is hollow and has electric wiring (notshown) running throughout a length of the IV pole 20, the wiringconnecting to a power supply 26. In one example embodiment, the powersupply 26 is an AC-DC adaptor that further connects to a power cord forplugging into electrical current via a simple 60 v outlet plug thathangs from the bottom of the IV pole 20. In another example embodiment,the power supply 26 connects is a battery power source.

The wiring connects to a top disk connector 22 which is joined to a topof the IV pole 20.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the top disk connector 22 has copper plates 40 toconduct the electrical currents across a top surface of the top diskconnector.

The top disk connector has a plurality of magnets 38 within the copperplates 40. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 1A, the disk connector 32 of theconical drape 30 has copper plates 40 with a plurality of magnets 38.The magnets 38 align the top disk connector 22 of the IV pole to thedisk connector 32 of the conical drape, creating and securing sufficientcontact for current to flow.

In FIG. 5, a method of using the system 10 is illustrated. The methodcomprises placing a conical drape 30 having a disk connector 32 at theapex 28 of the conical drape 30, the interior having a plurality of UV(ultra-violet) LED (light-emitting diodes) light strips 36 deployed onthe interior of the conical drape 30 in electrical communication withthe disk connector, the conical drape placing over a hollow IV pole 20attached to a wheelchair 50, the hollow IV pole having a top diskconnector 22 in electrical communication with electrical wiring insidethe hollow IV pole 20.

The next step is contacting the disk connector 32 at the apex 28 of theconical drape 30 to the top disk connector 22 of the IV pole 20 creatingelectrical communication between the electrical wiring of the IV pole 20and the UV LED light strips 36 on the interior of the conical drape 30,followed by connecting the electrical wiring of the IV pole 20 to apower source 24. After a minimum of 30 (thirty) minutes, the electricalwiring of the IV pole 20 is disconnected from the power source 24 andthe conical drape 30 is removed from the wheelchair 50.

The disk connector 32 of the conical drape 30 and the top disk connector22 of the IV pole 20 each have a plurality of magnets 38 as shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, and the step of contacting the disk connector 32 at theapex 28 of the conical drape 30 to the top disk connector 22 of the IVpole 20 further comprises aligning the plurality of magnets 38 of thedisk connector of the conical drape and with the plurality of magnets 38of the top disk connector of the IV pole 20.

If the wheelchair has a generic UV pole or none at all, the method ispreceded by the step of attaching the UV pole of the system 10 to thewheelchair.

It is understood that when an element is referred hereinabove as being“on” another element, it can be directly on the other element orintervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there areno intervening elements present.

Moreover, any components or materials can be formed from a same,structurally continuous piece or separately fabricated and connected.

It is further understood that, although ordinal terms, such as, “first,”“second,” “third,” are used herein to describe various elements,components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms.These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region,layer or section from another element, component, region, layer orsection. Thus, “a first element,” “component,” “region,” “layer” or“section” discussed below could be termed a second element, component,region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper” and the like, are used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both anorientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross sectionillustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments.As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result,for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, example embodiments described herein should not beconstrued as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustratedherein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, forexample, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated ordescribed as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features.Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, theregions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and theirshapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region andare not intended to limit the scope of the present claims.

In conclusion, herein is presented a self-sterilizing UV pole system.The disclosure is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, andthroughout the written description. It should be understood thatnumerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventiveconcept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the presentdisclosure.

1. A system for sterilizing equipment, comprising: a hollow pole configured for attaching to equipment, the hollow pole having a top disk connector in electrical communication with electrical wiring inside the hollow pole; a conical drape having an apex and an interior, the apex having a disk connector in electrical communication with the top disk connector of the hollow pole; and a plurality of UV (ultra-violet) LED (light-emitting diodes) light strips deployed on the interior of the conical drape in electrical communication with the disk connector at the apex of the conical drape.
 2. The system as described in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of magnets on the disk connector of the pole and a plurality of magnets on the disk connector at the apex of the conical drape.
 3. The system as described in claim 2, wherein the plurality of magnets on the disk connector of the pole align with the plurality of magnets on the disk connector of the apex of the conical drape thereby creating and securing electrical communication between the disk connector of the pole and the disk connector of the conical drape.
 4. The system as described in claim 3, wherein the drape has an interior surface and a plurality of LED wiring on the interior surface.
 5. The system as described in claim 4, wherein the LED wiring is in electrical communication with the LED strips and the disk connector at the apex of the conical drape thereby placing the LED strips in electrical communication with the disk connector at the apex of the conical drape.
 6. The system as described in claim 5, wherein the LED light strips further comprise a plurality of UV-C LED lights.
 7. The system as described in claim 6, wherein a distance between a first UV-C LED light and a second UV-C LED light is equal to or less than 10 cm.
 8. The system as described in claim 7, wherein the LED light strips are deployed in a grid pattern.
 9. The system as described in claim 8, wherein a distance between the LED light strips and a surface of the equipment to be sterilized is equal to or less than 30 cm.
 10. A system for sterilizing equipment, comprising: a conical drape having an apex and a reflective interior, the reflective interior having a plurality of UV (ultra-violet) LED (light-emitting diodes) light strips deployed on the reflective interior of the conical drape in a grid pattern, a distance between a first UV-LED light in the grid pattern and a second UV-LED light in the grid pattern is equal to or less than 10 cm, the UV LED light strips in electrical communication with a first disk connector at the apex of the conical drape; and a second disk connector configured for attaching to equipment and having electrical wiring configured for connecting to a power supply, the second disk connector electrically connecting to the first disk connector in the conical drape to provide power to the plurality of UV-LED lights.
 11. The system as described in claim 10, wherein the LED light strips further comprise a plurality of UV-C LED lights.
 12. The system as described in claim 11, wherein a distance between the LED light strips and a surface of the equipment is equal to or less than 30 cm.
 13. The system as described in claim 12, further comprising a plurality of magnets on the second disk connector and a plurality of magnets on the first disk connector of the conical drape.
 14. The system as described in claim 13, wherein the plurality of magnets on the second disk connector align with the plurality of magnets on the first disk connector of the conical drape thereby creating and securing electrical communication between the disk connector of the pole and the disk connector of the conical drape.
 15. The system as described in claim 14, wherein a plurality of LED wiring is on the interior surface of the conical drape and is in electrical communication with the LED strips and the first disk connector at the apex of the conical drape thereby placing the LED strips in electrical communication with the first disk connector at the apex of the conical drape.
 16. A method for sterilizing equipment, comprising: placing a conical drape having an interior, the interior having a first disk connector at an apex of the conical drape, the interior having a plurality of UV (ultra-violet) LED (light-emitting diodes) light strips deployed on the interior of the conical drape in electrical communication with the first disk connector, the conical drape placing over equipment, the equipment having a second disk connector attaching to the equipment, the second disk connector in electrical communication to a power source; contacting the first disk connector at the apex of the conical drape to the second disk connector on the equipment, creating electrical communication between the electrical wiring of the second disk connector on the equipment and the UV LED light strips on the interior of the conical drape; connecting the electrical wiring of the second disk connector on the equipment to a power source; and disconnecting the electrical wiring of the second disk connector on the equipment pole from the power source and removing the conical drape from the equipment after a minimum of thirty (30) minutes.
 17. The method as described in claim 16, wherein the step of placing the conical drape is preceded by the step of attaching the second disk connector to the equipment.
 18. The method as described in claim 17, wherein the first disk connector of the conical drape and the second disk connector attaching to the equipment each have a plurality of magnets and the step of contacting the first disk connector at the apex of the conical drape to the second disk connector attaching to the equipment comprises aligning the plurality of magnets of the first disk connector of the conical drape and with the plurality of magnets of the second disk connector attaching to the equipment. 